Chapter 6
Three Years Ago, According to the Perspective of the Four
ERIN FELT LIKE HER BODY was pushed through the eye of a needle and then was put through a blender. Never mind how horrendously cold she was or how she was absolutely terrified. She never felt in a manner remotely like this before and she wondered if she could possibly recover from the ordeal, if she survived it at all. She wondered if she would. However, she also feared that she would because what would the final portion of the journey be like and would it hurt too much?
What really bewildered her, nonetheless, was how the four of them were still able to hold hands even though they were on the ride of their lives. Erin heard someone screaming. She wasn't sure if it was someone else or if it was herself. She just knew that this made any amusement park ride look as mild as possible.
The other frightening part was how she couldn't see anything or anyone around her. It was pitch black and was darker than any night or shade of black she ever saw. It was absolutely void of any light whatsoever. She couldn't even see the nose on her own face. The next thing Erin knew, she felt her feet land on something in a very gentle landing. She looked around and the darkness began to fade and she saw a beautiful landscape appear in front of her.
"Is everyone okay?" She heard Daniel ask and it brought her comfort to know that he was with her at least. How about Adora and Caleb? Her eyes searched the landscape around her and she found them huddled together about twenty yards away and they were talking to one another. It rather annoyed her that they already put a division between them. She didn't understand why they acted that way when they were in this together, or at least that was the goal.
"I think I am. I'm a little dizzy, but think I'm fine. How about you?" She felt a little uneasy, but not too bad considering.
"I'm good. I wonder why those two are already plotting, but am glad that we're in this together." Daniel shared with Erin.
"Stop. Division is not welcomed here." They heard a masculine voice speak to them and Erin and Daniel looked all around to see who spoke and so did Adora and Caleb. "Why don't you listen as John writes the first segment of his book of John which was later put into the Bible and in chapter form? When he wrote it, it was not in chapter or verse form, as you know. For now, be still and listen, children."
"Who was that?" Adora asked in a very loud voice. She sounded annoyed and caused a scene in the process.
"Shh." The voice spoke again and kept his words to a minimum.
JOHN SEARCHED FOR THE WORDS with an attitude of prayer, it was observed. He was focused and ignored any and all distractions. As he wrote the words, he said them out loud and the four were able to hear what he wrote. However, what was even more amazing was they were able to see what happened as he wrote and as they heard his words describe the scene as it unfolded.
Daniel was amazed how they were able to see the Apostle John pen the words for what is now known as the Book of John in the Holy Bible. How amazing. He found it rather difficult to comprehend but he realized there were some things in life he had to take by faith and this was one of those times from what he could gather. Daniel actually saw John. The only problem was John had a blurry face and he could actually hear John's voice.
How as it possible? The human side of Daniel wanted to know, but he was able to remind himself to hold fast to his spiritual nature. He trusted God and that was good enough for him.
Daniel also acknowledged how he could feel things with his hands and skin through touch. Moreover, he could smell the aromas in the hair. He smelled meat cooking over a fire and it made his stomach rumble with hunger.
The scene changed and he then saw a scroll of parchment and then a large mouth speak a word, but Daniel couldn't hear the word uttered. Then, he heard John speak as he wrote and he actually said the scriptural reference of John 1:1. Later, he would ponder how it was possible he heard it in English and in the New International Version. But, for now, he would go with it and see where this took him in this strange journey through the Word. Then, the Apostle continued to read from John 1:2-1:14 (Author's Note: I know I can actually write this: John 1:2-14. However, I want to assume that Non-Christians are going to read this as well and want to make this as understandable as possible.)
John appeared as though he were in deep thought again and Daniel allowed the passage of Scripture to sink in more deeply than he ever allowed it to in the past. What amazed him was how he seemed to have a much greater understanding of what he heard.
John 1:5 went through Daniel's mind in response to his last thought:
"The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it," (NASB).
He was able to comprehend more because he saw and knew the Light. Daniel recognized how John used the same word of 'darkness' in John 3:19:
"This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil," (NASB).
Daniel pondered the light and the dark, along with understanding or lack of understanding, for a few minutes. It made him grateful he accepted Christ so these things were not a complete mystery to him. Granted, he was cognizant some answers, he would never have until he went to heaven and he was alright with the acknowledgment. However, he could have some answers while alive on earth and he received them now thanks to Christ.
He couldn't imagine living the life where you were always in the dark, but were convinced those in the light were in the dark. He couldn't imagine how difficult that would be and was grateful for his position. He always wondered why Non-Christians could be so--well, clueless. Now he got it. He also comprehended he could no longer judge them as harshly as he once had because of his enlightenment. God hadn't opened their eyes of understanding and that was why they didn't believe. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (Author's Note: referenced in Chapter 5 if you want to see it.) sure explained why, he thought to himself.
By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy
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